Me: Has Harriet been taking selfies on my iBone?
Nell: Why?
Me: Look at these photos.
Nell: Interesting. Maybe she’s decided to enter the competition.
Me: What competition?
Nell: The Daily Growl is looking for Our Devon Darling and Jim the Farm Dog told her she’d be bound to win.
Me: Our Devon Darling?
Nell: You’re doing that repeating thing again. Anyone can enter, so she probably has.
Me: Well, Harriet could definitely win. She’s ever so pretty.
Nell: It’s not just about looks. Personality plays a big role and charisma.
Me: I’m surprised Dave isn’t entering then. My Big Brave Beautiful Boy has absolutely loads of charisma.
Nell: David can’t enter.
Me: Why? Because he’s the Mayor of Kingsbridge?
Nell: No, he’s one of the judges.
Me: Really? They might not let Harriet enter if Dave’s a judge. He’s her brother.
Nell: They’re perfectly happy with me being on the panel and I’m her aunt.
Me: Do you mean to say you’re a judge, too?
Nell: Yes.
Me: Harriet definitely can’t enter then. If she’s chosen people will say it was fixed.
Nell: We judges only make an initial selection. The readers of the Daily Growl are the ones who vote.
Me: That sounds sensible.
Nell: My friend Dorothy is entering and so is The Cat.
Me: The Cat?
Nell: Why not?
Me: I didn’t think entering competitions was The Cat’s kind of thing.
Nell: If you ask me, it’s bored. And you know The Cat. Any excuse to dress up.
Me: Forgive me for saying, but up until now the only entrants seem to be animals you know.
Nell: If I don’t know them, how can I know they’ve entered?
Me: You’re a judge.
Nell: Judging hasn’t started yet. The competition only just opened.
Me: I see. Sorry.
